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    How embracing your emotions will accelerate your career | Joe Hudson (executive coach, Art of Accomplishment)

    enAugust 08, 2024
    What is the nature of the critical voice in our heads?
    How can we improve our relationship with this critical voice?
    What role do emotions play in personal growth?
    Why is it important to embrace difficult emotions?
    How can one achieve emotional fluidity in life?

    Podcast Summary

    • Inner criticInstead of suppressing the inner critic, learn to respond differently by understanding emotions behind it and finding enjoyment in activities it pushes us towards.

      The critical voice in your head, which often repeats the same messages, is usually wrong and contradictory. Instead of trying to suppress it, we should learn to respond differently. For instance, instead of focusing on the "shoulds" and criticisms, we can try to understand the emotions behind them and find ways to enjoy the activities or situations that the voice is pushing us towards. By shifting our perspective and building a healthier relationship with this voice, we can improve our productivity, happiness, and overall well-being. Additionally, it's essential to acknowledge and embrace our emotions rather than trying to avoid or suppress them. By falling in love with our emotions, we can harness their power and use them as tools for growth and self-discovery. Overall, this approach can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life, both personally and professionally.

    • Relating to negative voice, emotionsInstead of trying to control or suppress negative voices and emotions, change how we relate to them by treating negative voices as a scared child and embracing all emotions for better decision making

      Our relationship with the negative voice in our head and our emotions plays a significant role in holding us back. Instead of trying to control or suppress these voices, it's more effective to change how we relate to them. We can experiment with new ways of responding to the negative voice in our head, treating it more like a scared child having a temper tantrum rather than a logical boss. Similarly, our emotions are the drivers of our decision-making, and learning to embrace all of them can open up new solution sets and help us make decisions based on our truth rather than our fear of feeling certain emotions. By adopting an experimental approach and understanding the problem fully, we can learn to interact with the negative voice in our head and our emotions in a more productive way, ultimately leading to personal growth and development.

    • Emotional FluiditySuppressing emotions can limit emotional fluidity, welcoming and deeply feeling emotions without judgment can help unkink the emotional hose and allow for emotional expression

      Suppressing emotions can significantly limit our ability to feel fully and live our lives to the fullest. Emotions, such as anger, sadness, or excitement, are like a tube through which our feelings flow. However, when we experience emotional abuse or are taught to suppress certain emotions, the tube can become kinked, leading to resistance and limiting our emotional fluidity. To unkink the hose and allow all emotional experiences to flow freely, it's essential to welcome and deeply feel our emotions without judgment, allowing them to move through us and expressing them when necessary. Practicing non-judgmental awareness and emotional inquiry are useful steps towards emotional fluidity, but the journey is a lifelong practice.

    • Perception and self-acceptanceQuestioning our assumptions and seeing through the stories we tell ourselves can help us gain clarity, transform challenges, and embrace all aspects of ourselves for personal growth

      Our perception of ourselves and our problems can often be clouded by outdated stories or assumptions. Joy, as the matriarch of emotions, represents the importance of accepting all aspects of ourselves, including difficult emotions like anxiety or shame, in order to find true happiness. These emotions don't define us, but rather, it's our resistance to them that can cause harm. For example, trying to avoid conflict only invites more conflict into our lives. By questioning our assumptions and seeing through the stories we tell ourselves, we can gain clarity and transform our challenges. This process of self-discovery often involves embracing aspects of ourselves that we may have previously tried to hide or deny. Through coaching and workshops, we can learn tools to help us challenge our assumptions and see ourselves more clearly, leading to personal growth and transformation.

    • Shame and conflict resolutionAcknowledging and accepting emotions instead of resisting them can help resolve conflicts and reduce shame, allowing for more productive resolutions and personal growth.

      Our emotions and reactions in arguments or difficult situations often stem from a desire to avoid feeling shame. This desire can lead us to defend ourselves, which in turn creates more conflict and shame. To resolve this pattern, it's important to acknowledge and accept the emotions we're experiencing instead of resisting them. By coming from a place of love and self-acceptance, we can change the dynamics of the situation and find a more productive resolution. Additionally, experimentation and personal exploration are key to discovering what truly works for us in different moments. Joy and enjoyment are powerful tools for living a meaningful and productive life, and finding ways to incorporate them into our experiences can lead to greater efficiency and fulfillment.

    • Enjoyment and EfficiencyEnhancing enjoyment leads to improved efficiency and productivity, not through external means but through internal shifts like relaxation, acceptance, and authenticity.

      Enjoyment plays a significant role in our efficiency, productivity, and staying power in the things we do. It's not just about finding things we naturally enjoy but also learning to enjoy the present moment and the things in front of us. The key to enhancing enjoyment is not through external means like buying things or changing circumstances, but through internal shifts like relaxing, getting comfortable, and letting go of trying. Authenticity, embracing who we are and accepting ourselves as we are, is crucial in this process. It's important to remember that we evolve naturally, and adding unnecessary shoulds and expectations can hinder our growth and enjoyment of life. By focusing on enjoying the present moment and acting from our authenticity, we can improve our efficiency, productivity, and overall quality of life.

    • Authenticity in RelationshipsEmbracing genuine selves leads to more authentic connections, while focusing too much on 'shoulds' can hinder personal growth and relationships.

      Focusing too much on the "shoulds" in life and neglecting our genuine selves can lead to unsatisfying relationships and personal growth. Instead, embracing who we are and being as genuine as possible with others can lead to more authentic connections. It's important to recognize that our natural wants and desires are our evolutionary path, and trying to be someone we're not only slows down our growth. Understanding problems and exploring them with curiosity can lead to their solutions. In the context of decision making, being open to emotional experiences and not avoiding conflict can lead to better decisions and more effective team building. Additionally, having a clear set of principles to live by can guide us in making choices that align with our values and lead to personal growth.

    • Personal principles for effective decision makingEmbrace emotions, keep principles simple and test them for 5 days for success in personal and professional life. Apply same principles to teams for effective meetings and decision making.

      Making decisions based on a set of personal principles can lead to greater success and effectiveness in both personal and professional life. These principles should be simple, kept to a minimum, and tested for at least five days to see if they work. Embracing emotions and falling in love with them is also important for effective decision making. To help teams be more effective, the same principles can be applied at a team level by assessing the meetings and decision-making processes. By focusing on making every meeting a "five-star meeting," companies can identify and address the root causes of problems.

    • Meeting EnjoymentImproving meeting enjoyment can lead to increased productivity and better outcomes. Regularly check team culture and practice daily gratitude to enhance the experience.

      Making every meeting enjoyable and engaging can significantly improve productivity and outcomes. By focusing on personal enjoyment and addressing any issues that make the meetings less than ideal, individuals and teams can experience noticeable growth and success. Additionally, regularly checking the team culture through simple surveys can serve as a powerful tool for driving results and preventing potential issues. Practicing daily gratitude with another person for seven minutes can also bring about positive changes in one's life. By expressing gratitude from a felt sense, individuals can shift their focus from lack to abundance and experience the transformative power of gratitude.

    • Gratitude practiceExperiencing gratitude in the present moment is crucial for personal growth, and Joe Hudson's courses offer an experiential learning approach to discovering one's true nature and positive impact on future generations.

      Practicing gratitude is an essential daily practice for personal growth, and it's not limited to reflecting on what one has, but also feeling the emotions behind it. Joe Hudson emphasizes the importance of experiencing gratitude in the present moment, rather than just intellectually acknowledging it. He also encourages people to explore his courses, particularly the Connection Course, which offers a unique, experiential learning approach. Hudson believes that discovering one's true nature and operating principles can positively impact future generations. To get started, listeners can find Hudson's podcast, Art of Accomplishment, and visit the website for more information on courses and workshops. By engaging in these practices, listeners can contribute to creating a better world for future generations.

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    The things engineers are desperate for PMs to understand | Camille Fournier (author of “The Manager’s Path,” ex-CTO at Rent the Runway)

    Camille Fournier is the author of The Manager’s Path, which many consider the definitive guide for navigating one’s career path in tech. Camille was previously the CTO of Rent the Runway, VP of Technology at Goldman Sachs, Head of Platform Engineering at Two Sigma, and Global Head of Engineering and Architecture at JPMorgan Chase. She is about to release new newest book, Platform Engineering: A Guide for Technical, Product, and People Leaders. In our conversation, we discuss:

    • What product managers do that annoys engineers

    • Why major rewrites are a trap

    • Why you should have fewer one-on-ones

    • Strategies for organizing and working with platform teams

    • Tips for new managers

    • Advice for transitioning from individual contributor to manager

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    Where to find Camille Fournier:

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-fournier-9011812/

    • Website: https://skamille.medium.com/

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

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    (02:17) Common annoyances between PMs and engineers

    (07:09) Avoiding the telephone game

    (08:05) Hoarding ideas and over-engineering

    (09:55) The importance of involving engineers in ideation

    (11:37) The middle-person dilemma

    (14:21) Rewriting systems: a big trap?

    (20:40) Engineering leadership lessons

    (36:02) Moving from IC to management

    (40:32) One-on-one meetings

    (45:10) Pushing beyond comfort zones

    (45:27) Building a balanced work culture

    (48:01) Effective time management strategies

    (54:15) Advice for platform team success

    (01:02:42) Platform team responsibilities

    (01:04:43) When to form a platform team

    (01:07:02) Thriving on a platform team

    (01:12:48) AI corner

    (01:17:03) Lightning round and final thoughts

    Referenced:

    Platform Engineering: A Guide for Technical, Product, and People Leaders: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Engineering-Technical-Product-Leaders/dp/1098153642/

    The Manager’s Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change: https://www.amazon.com/Managers-Path-Leaders-Navigating-Growth/dp/1491973897

    97 Things Every Engineering Manager Should Know: Collective Wisdom from the Experts: https://www.amazon.com/Things-Every-Engineering-Manager-Should/dp/1492050903

    • Avoiding the Rewrite Trap: https://skamille.medium.com/avoiding-the-rewrite-trap-b1283b8dd39e

    • Levelsio on X: https://x.com/levelsio

    • Pieter Levels on the Lex Fridman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFtjKbXKqbg

    • GraphQL: https://graphql.org/

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    • Musk’s 5 Steps to Cut Internal Bureaucracy at Tesla and SpaceX: https://icecreates.com/insight/musk-s-5-steps-to-cut-internal-bureaucracy-at-tesla-and-spacex-you-may-say-it-s-his-algorithm/

    • Ian Nowland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inowland/

    • Studio Pulls ‘Megalopolis’ Trailer Using Fake Quotes from Famed Movie Critics: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/studio-pulls-megalopolis-trailer-using-fake-quotes-from-famed-movie-critics_n_66c74046e4b0f1ca469413c7

    • Claude 2: https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-2

    What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful: https://www.amazon.com/What-Got-Here-Wont-There/dp/1401301304

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    Alien: Romulus: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18412256/

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    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    Land your dream job in today’s market: negotiation tactics, job search councils, and more | Phyl Terry (Author, “Never Search Alone”)

    Land your dream job in today’s market: negotiation tactics, job search councils, and more | Phyl Terry (Author, “Never Search Alone”)

    Phyl Terry is the author of Never Search Alone, which I’ve seen so many people reference as the most impactful guide they read for finding a job. Phyl was on the founding team of the first company Amazon acquired back in the ’90s and then was CEO of pioneering product consulting firm Creative Good, with companies like Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft as customers. Today, Phyl is the founder and CEO of Collaborative Gain, which 20 years ago pioneered bringing councils to senior product leaders and GMs in Silicon Valley. That’s their day job—in addition to that, Phyl runs a free global community for job seekers based on their latest book. In our conversation, we discuss:

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    • How job search councils work

    • How to determine your “candidate-market fit”

    • How to conduct a listening tour

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    • The art of asking for help

    • Tactics for effective networking and interviewing

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    Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/land-your-dream-phyl-terry

    Where to find Phyl Terry:

    • X: https://x.com/phylterry

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phylterry/

    • Website: https://www.phyl.org/

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Phyl’s background

    (01:58) The concept of job search councils

    (04:27) The power of community in job searching

    (08:55) The scale and structure of job search councils

    (12:27) The impact of job search councils

    (20:19) The concept of candidate-market fit

    (22:50) Writing a Mnookin two-pager

    (24:37) Conducting listening tours

    (30:12) Creating a focused candidate-market fit

    (36:20) Advice on finding the right stage of company for you

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    (45:30) Navigating tough job markets

    (49:07) Playing to win

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    (01:05:12) The gratitude house exercise

    (01:10:48) The power of asking for help

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    (01:28:40) Final thoughts and advice

    (01:38:21) Lightning round

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    How LinkedIn became interesting: The inside story | Tomer Cohen (CPO at LinkedIn)

    How LinkedIn became interesting: The inside story | Tomer Cohen (CPO at LinkedIn)

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    Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-linkedin-became-interesting-tomer-cohen

    Where to find Tomer Cohen:

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    • Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-one-with-tomer-cohen/id1726672498

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

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    (30:58) AI’s role in LinkedIn’s evolution

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    (35:38) Developing an AI-first mindset

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    (55:01) Takeaways

    (56:39) Lightning round and final thoughts

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    The original growth hacker reveals his secrets | Sean Ellis (author of “Hacking Growth”)

    The original growth hacker reveals his secrets | Sean Ellis (author of “Hacking Growth”)

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    • The proper use of the Sean Ellis Test for measuring product-market fit

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    • How to select the right North Star metric for your business

    • Case studies from his work growing Dropbox and other products

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    Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-original-growth-hacker-sean-ellis

    Where to find Sean Ellis:

    • X: https://x.com/seanellis

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanellis/

    • Website: https://www.seanellis.me/

    • Substack: https://substack.com/@seanellis

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

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    (02:18) The Sean Ellis test explained

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    (08:06) Case study: improving product-market fit

    (12:34) Understanding and leveraging customer feedback

    (16:50) Challenges and nuances of product-market fit

    (22:22) When to use the Sean Ellis Test

    (23:46) When not to use the Sean Ellis Test and other caveats

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    (40:18) Case study: Superhuman’s strategy for increasing product-market fit

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    (01:32:52) Final thoughts and lightning round

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    Airbnb’s Vlad Loktev on embracing chaos, inquiry over advocacy, poking the bear, and “impact, impact, impact” (Partner at Index Ventures, Airbnb GM/VP Product)

    Airbnb’s Vlad Loktev on embracing chaos, inquiry over advocacy, poking the bear, and “impact, impact, impact” (Partner at Index Ventures, Airbnb GM/VP Product)

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    • Why you should learn to “poke the bear”

    • Balancing product release speed with quality

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    • Advice for founders on building company culture

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    Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/impact-impact-impact-vlad-loktev

    Where to find Vlad Loktev:

    • X: https://x.com/vladimirloktev

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimirloktev/

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Vlad’s background

    (02:54) Reflecting on transformative years at Airbnb

    (04:28) Skills and mindsets for success

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    (13:16) Saying no and inquiry before advocacy 

    (17:54) “Poking the bear”

    (22:46) Psychological tools for leadership

    (30:08) Building and scaling teams

    (36:12) Letting fires burn

    (47:34) Embracing chaos

    (54:40) The unsell email strategy

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    (01:05:38) The importance of company culture

    (01:13:16) Airbnb’s unique approach to product management

    (01:26:41) Failure corner

    (01:31:32) Lightning round and final thoughts

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    How to consistently go viral: Nikita Bier’s playbook for winning at consumer apps (co-founder of TBH, Gas, advisor, investor)

    How to consistently go viral: Nikita Bier’s playbook for winning at consumer apps (co-founder of TBH, Gas, advisor, investor)

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    • The inside story of how TBH and Gas achieved explosive growth

    • Strategies for building viral consumer apps

    • Why teens are such a great audience

    • Fighting the human trafficking hoax at Gas

    • The challenge of creating durable social products

    • His experience working as a PM at Facebook

    • Advice for founders on building consumer apps

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    Book Nikita for 1:1 consultation/mentoring: https://intro.co/NikitaBier

    Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-consistently-go-viral-nikita-bier

    Where to find Nikita Bier:

    • X: https://x.com/nikitabier 

    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@nikitabier

    • Website: https://intro.co/NikitaBier

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Nikita’s background 

    (06:08) Nikita’s early ventures: Politify and Outline

    (08:42) Transition to consumer apps

    (13:45) The birth of TBH

    (16:43) Building for teens vs. adults

    (20:00) TBH’s viral success

    (32:18) Leveraging live chat

    (34:08) Lasting lessons from TBH

    (37:00) Selling TBH to Facebook

    (42:19) Big-tech product management

    (48:46) Nikita on why “product management is not real”

    (51:49) The Tim Cook painting story

    (53:53) Leaving Facebook and starting a new venture

    (58:02) Rebuilding TBH and overcoming challenges

    (59:46) Addressing criticism

    (01:04:24) The human trafficking hoax

    (01:09:51) Selling to Discord and lessons learned

    (01:11:36) Lasting lessons from Gas

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    (01:26:53) The success of Dupe

    (01:31:53) Advice for startup founders

    (01:34:14) Work with Nikita

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    Succeeding as an introvert, building zero-to-one, and why you should PM your career like you PM your product | Deb Liu (CEO of Ancestry, ex-Facebook, PayPal, eBay)

    Succeeding as an introvert, building zero-to-one, and why you should PM your career like you PM your product | Deb Liu (CEO of Ancestry, ex-Facebook, PayPal, eBay)

    Deb Liu is the CEO of Ancestry and former longtime VP of Product at Facebook. At Facebook, Deb led the creation of Facebook Marketplace, developed the first mobile ad product for apps, built the company’s games business, and launched Facebook Pay. She’s also held leadership roles at PayPal and eBay, serves on the board of Intuit, and is the author of Take Back Your Power. In our conversation, we discuss:

    • Why you should PM your career like you PM your product

    • Strategies for incubating new products within large companies

    • Creating a successful 30-60-90-day plan when starting a new job

    • The pitfalls of perfectionism

    • The challenges introverts face in the workplace and how to overcome them

    • The value of resilience and turning failures into stepping stones

    • How to leverage coaching in your career development

    Brought to you by:

    Pendo—The only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application

    WorkOS—Modern identity platform for B2B SaaS, free up to 1 million MAUs

    Webflow—The web experience platform

    Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/succeeding-as-an-introvert-deb-liu

    Where to find Deb Liu:

    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@debliu

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahliu

    • Substack: https://debliu.substack.com/

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Introduction to Deb Liu

    (02:18) Deb’s career journey and key advice

    (09:45) Navigating new roles and challenges

    (11:27) Overcoming adversity and failure

    (15:07) Building billion-dollar businesses at Facebook

    (19:33) Strategies for zero-to-one innovation

    (23:40) PM your career like a product

    (33:53) Challenges and strategies for introverts in business

    (39:19) Reframing self-promotion

    (42:25) The power of accountability

    (46:15) Growth: a game of inches

    (50:52) The 30-60-90-day plan

    (56:52) Contrarian corner: career and marriage

    (58:57) Final nuggets of wisdom

    (01:03:09) How to find a coach

    (01:04:47) Lightning round

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    Unorthodox PM wisdom: Automating user insights, unselling job candidates, logging every decision, more | Kevin Yien (Stripe, Square, Mutiny)

    Unorthodox PM wisdom: Automating user insights, unselling job candidates, logging every decision, more | Kevin Yien (Stripe, Square, Mutiny)

    Kevin Yien leads product for merchant experiences at Stripe. Before that, he meandered his way from being a technical designer to a product manager, built the restaurants business and ecosystem team at Square, and most recently was head of product and design at Mutiny. He also makes ice cream and teaches for fun. In our conversation, we discuss:

    • Why aspiring PMs should start in engineering, design, or sales

    • The importance of writing skills, and how to become a better writer

    • How to automate user research

    • Kevin’s “unsell email” technique for hiring

    • The value of keeping a decision log

    • Insights on AI and its impact on future generations

    • Lessons from failure

    Brought to you by:

    BuildBetter—AI for product teams

    OneSchema—Import CSV data 10x faster

    Eppo—Run reliable, impactful experiments

    Find the transcript and show notes at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/unorthodox-pm-wisdom-kevin-yien

    Where to find Kevin Yien:

    • X: https://x.com/kevinyien

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinyien/

    • Website: https://kevinyien.com/

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Kevin’s background 

    (02:00) The story behind Kevin’s profile picture

    (08:41) The role of a product manager

    (10:48) Getting started in product management

    (12:47) The importance of writing skills

    (15:06) Becoming a better writer

    (19:10) The PM’s role with engineering and design

    (28:41) Drawing the perimeter for your team

    (31:37) Feedback tips

    (35:13) Decision logs and product sense

    (45:36) Unorthodox hiring strategies

    (47:01) The unsell email strategy

    (54:01) Automating user research

    (01:02:27) AI in everyday life

    (01:06:05) Lessons from failure

    (01:14:34) Lightning round

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    Improve strategy, influence, and decision-making by understanding your brain | Evan LaPointe (founder of CORE Sciences)

    Improve strategy, influence, and decision-making by understanding your brain | Evan LaPointe (founder of CORE Sciences)

    Evan LaPointe is the founder of CORE Sciences, which teaches companies and individuals how our brains work and how that translates to improved collaboration, better products, faster decision-making, and more growth. Previously, Evan was the co-founder of Satellite, the fourth-largest analytics company on the internet today (it mostly runs behind the scenes, and pretty much everyone listening will have used it today without knowing it), which was acquired by Adobe, where he later ran product strategy, innovation, and long-range thinking for Adobe’s digital experiences business. In our conversation, we discuss:

    • The three different systems of the brain

    • How knowing this can help you become more influential

    • How understanding different brain states will help you increase productivity and creativity

    • How to improve your vision and strategy skills

    • How to design a work environment that fosters innovation

    • How to build better relationships at work

    • Much more

    Brought to you by:

    Webflow—The web experience platform

    Explo—Embed customer-facing analytics in your product

    Eppo—Run reliable, impactful experiments

    Find the transcript and references at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/understanding-your-brain-evan-lapointe

    Where to find Evan LaPointe:

    • X: https://x.com/evanlapointe

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanlapointe/

    • Website: https://www.core-sciences.com/

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Evan’s background

    (02:37) Understanding the brain’s complex systems

    (07:17) The three core brain systems: safety, reward, and purpose

    (11:03) Applying brain science to team dynamics

    (14:27) The role of personality in team performance

    (17:27) Creating effective work environments

    (23:16) The science of meetings and decision-making

    (29:35) Enhancing strategy and vision

    (54:46) Understanding personality traits in strategy and vision

    (58:58) Tactical tips for increasing openness

    (01:05:46) Building influence and effective relationships

    (01:21:17) The importance of trust and appeal in relationships

    (01:36:47) Creating a positive organizational habitat

    (01:50:35) Enhancing focus and productivity

    (02:00:58) Practical tips for deep work and gamma time

    (02:07:11) Lightning round

    Referenced:

    • The Most Complicated Object in the Universe: https://today.uconn.edu/2018/03/complicated-object-universe/#

    • The Myers-Briggs personality test: https://www.themyersbriggs.com/en-US/Products-and-Services/Myers-Briggs

    • The Big Five personality test: https://www.thepersonalitylab.org/

    • The Enneagram personality test: https://enneagramtest.com/

    • An inside look at how Figma builds product | Yuhki Yamashita (CPO of Figma): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/an-inside-look-at-how-figma-builds

    • Vision, conviction, and hype: How to build 0 to 1 inside a company | Mihika Kapoor (Product at Figma): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/vision-conviction-hype-mihika-kapoor

    • Dylan Field live at Config: Intuition, simplicity, and the future of design: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/dylan-field-live-at-config

    • An inside look at Figma’s unique GTM motion | Claire Butler (first GTM hire): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/an-inside-look-at-figmas-unique-bottom

    • Inside Canva: Coaches not managers, giving away your Legos, and running profitably | Cameron Adams (co-founder and CPO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/inside-canva-with-cameron-adams

    • The Science-Business Mismatch That Puts Your Change at Risk: https://changemanagementreview.com/the-science-business-mismatch-that-puts-your-change-at-risk/

    • Daniel Pink on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpink/

    • Trello: https://trello.com/

    • Cron: https://cronhq.notion.site/

    • The Double Diamond framework for design thinking: https://www.fluxspace.io/resources/the-4-ds-double-diamond-design-thinking-model

    • CORE Sciences - Tips on Priming Great Meetings PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gm21cj0vi0bjosyu8kd69/CORE-Sciences-Tips-on-Priming-Great-Meetings.pdf?rlkey=6fznhv7bbsxm8nj8m4luej17t&st=2eduirad&dl=0

    • How to grow a subscription business | Yuriy Timen (Grammarly, Canva, Airtable): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/transform-your-subscription-growth

    • Brené Brown’s website: https://brenebrown.com/

    • The CORE personality test: https://www.core-sciences.com/new-core-identity

    • Burning Man: https://burningman.org/

    • Stripe: https://stripe.com/

    • Jony Ive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jony_Ive

    • Albert Einstein quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7133605-make-things-as-simple-as-possible-but-no-simpler

    • Elden Ring: https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/elden-ring/elden-ring

    • Abilene paradox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abilene_paradox

    The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation: https://www.amazon.com/Challenger-Sale-Control-Customer-Conversation/dp/1591844355

    • The surprising truth about what closes deals: Insights from 2.5m sales conversations | Matt Dixon (author of The Challenger Sale and The JOLT Effect): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/close-more-deals-matt-dixon

    • Siqi Chan on X: https://x.com/blader

    • Runway: https://runway.com/

    • Shreyas Doshi on pre-mortems, the LNO framework, the three levels of product work, why most execution problems are strategy problems, and ROI vs. opportunity cost thinking: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/episode-3-shreyas-doshi

    • Wolfgang Puck’s website: https://wolfgangpuck.com/

    • Steven Spielberg on X: https://x.com/sspielberg93

    • John Williams’s website: https://www.johnwilliams.org/

    • The paths to power: How to grow your influence and advance your career | Jeffrey Pfeffer (author of 7 Rules of Power, professor at Stanford GSB): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-paths-to-power-jeffrey-pfeffer

    • Warby Parker: https://www.warbyparker.com/

    • Simon Sinek’s website: https://simonsinek.com/

    • What is the function of the various brainwaves?: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-function-of-t-1997-12-22/

    • CORE Sciences - Your Brain's 9 Modes PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/figg8upeaawir1hnxv0ew/CORE-Sciences-Your-Brain-s-9-Modes.pdf?rlkey=u3zaonxvycvupurq6pwysckfq&st=os06xjnr&dl=0

    Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It: Unlock Your Persuasion Potential in Professional and Personal Life: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805

    The Person and the Situation: Perspectives of Social Psychology: https://www.amazon.com/Person-Situation-Perspectives-Social-Psychology/dp/1905177445

    Cambridge Fundamentals of Neuroscience in Psychology: https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Fundamentals-Neuroscience-Psychology/dp/B08QYNDNYX

    • Robert Greene’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-Greene/author/B001IGV3IS

    Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics: https://www.amazon.com/Misbehaving-Behavioral-Economics-Richard-Thaler/dp/039335279X

    • Beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

    How embracing your emotions will accelerate your career | Joe Hudson (executive coach, Art of Accomplishment)

    How embracing your emotions will accelerate your career | Joe Hudson (executive coach, Art of Accomplishment)

    Joe Hudson is one of the most sought-after executive coaches in Silicon Valley. He is the founder of Art of Accomplishment, a transformational coaching program that has helped tens of thousands of people, including many tech executives and founders from companies like Apple, OpenAI, and Google. His unique method of transformation comes from over 25 years of exploring neurological, psychological, and spiritual traditions, tested against real-world challenges. In our conversation, Joe shares:

    • Why the critical voice in your head is always wrong, and how to change your relationship with that voice

    • Why authenticity trumps self-improvement

    • The importance of embracing all of your emotions

    • How to create more enjoyable and effective meetings

    • The power of gratitude in transforming your life

    • Practical experiments for personal growth

    • Much more

    Apply for Joe’s Connection Course:

    Thousands of students have taken Joe’s most popular experience, the Connection Course. Unlike most online courses, there is no reading, lectures, or written homework. It is a three-week experiential deep dive where you will apply your learnings to real-life problems—how to make your team more productive, communicate more effectively, and resolve conflicts with ease. Apply here and use the code LENNY for $300 off your enrollment: view.life/lenny.

    Brought to you by:

    BuildBetter—AI for product teams

    WorkOS—Modern identity platform for B2B SaaS, free up to 1 million MAUs

    Coda—The all-in-one collaborative workspace

    Find the transcript and references at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/embracing-your-emotions-joe-hudson

    Where to find Joe Hudson:

    • X: https://x.com/FU_joehudson

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-hudson/

    • Website: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/

    • Podcast: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast

    • Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theartofaccomplishment

    Where to find Lenny:

    • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com

    • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/

    In this episode, we cover:

    (00:00) Joe’s background

    (02:31) The critical voice in your head

    (06:39) Changing your relationship with the critical voice

    (13:19) Understanding and embracing emotions

    (19:52) The importance of emotional fluidity

    (24:40) Questioning assumptions and self-perception

    (30:25) The consequences of avoiding emotions

    (36:57) Experimenting with self-improvement

    (39:42) Understanding efficiency and enjoyment

    (43:17) The power of enjoyment in daily tasks

    (45:03) Innate enjoyment vs. learned enjoyment

    (46:31) Authenticity vs. self-improvement

    (50:01) Embracing emotional experiences

    (55:49) How understanding your emotions helps you make better decisions

    (01:02:53) Creating effective teams and meetings

    (01:10:40) Gratitude practice for personal growth

    (01:15:36) Conclusion and final thoughts

    Referenced:

    Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain: https://www.amazon.com/Descartes-Error-Emotion-Reason-Human/dp/014303622X/

    • Joe’s quote about joy: https://x.com/FU_joehudson/status/1756837774743790030

    • “Emotional Inquiry”: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast/emotional-inquiry

    Inside Out 2: https://movies.disney.com/inside-out-2

    • “Question the Assumption”: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast/question-the-assumption

    • Bodega Bay: https://www.bodegabay.com/

    • Elon Musk reveals the interview question he asks every candidate to instantly spot a liar: https://www.good.is/elon-musk-reveals-the-one-job-interview-question-he-asks-every-candidate-to-instantly-spot-a-liar

    • Great Decisions course: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/course/great-decisions-course

    • HBR Analytic Services: https://hbr.org/hbr-analytic-services

    • Connection Course: https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/course/the-connection-course

    Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.

    Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.



    Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe